A small but growing number of changelings now live openly among ponies. Many ponies are welcoming. Others are concerned. And nobody, from the new Equestrian changelings to the Princesses themselves, knows how Queen Chrysalis is going to respond...

Zevan was a loyal changeling and did his queen's bidding, although he questioned why she had broken the peace. After being badly injured though, he had to reconsider his future, and a unicorn mare with a broken horn was a surprising part of it.

Take a breath. Good, keep going from there. You may think you are real, you may think you are a pony, you may think you can feel. Anything can be emulated if you mimic it close enough... I know, it's in your programming.

Twilight has developed a device that can detect strange signals coming from outer space; signals from aliens! She gathers her friends so that they can all listen in. But they may not like what they hear...

Novel Tale is an author that's been living in Canterlot for about ten years now. That's a pretty good track record for a changeling. He's even included a changeling character in his latest book, and his fans have been loving his take on such an obscure mythological creature, especially his biggest fan, Twilight Sparkle. Things are looking up!

Then an army of changelings from another hive attacks Canterlot.

Now all of ponykind knows that changelings are real, and his readers are sure to realize that the changeling in his book was too similar to the real thing to have just been based on a myth...

earlier chapters have been revised as of 7/19/13 to be more inline quality wise with the later chapters.

I'm sorry I didn't notice this before. Probably because it was a while between when I checked each chapter, but Twilight was visiting her parents 2 weeks before the wedding? And she still didn't know about it?

well, SA's reason for not telling Twi was being too busy with the big security hike, which I assumed was a fairly recent development before the wedding. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing was kinda thrown together at the last minute and even Twilight parents didn't know about until a week before.

Oh boy...Is Twilight suspicious? Did Rainbow Dash know something we don't? Oh! I bet she's also a fan of Novel's work and somehow Dash made the connection before Twilight because she naturally looks for spies! Because Dash is awesome like that.

I'm amused that it was Dash that apparently figured things out. That's actually kinda fitting. She's always been a little suspicious, and I can see her connecting things from a work of fiction to real-life events quicker than Twilight (Who would get there eventually, but probably puts less thought toward fiction when dealing with such things). Plus, I like reminders that Dash isn't just some dumb jock.

Novel Tale would probably do better to just spill the beans to Twilight. He apparently knows that she's smart, and that she'll figure it out sooner or later. His disguise is going to be blown, so it's probably better to do it on his terms, rather than being found out (Plus, that gives him a better chance to make it clear that he's not with those other changelings. Actually, probably better to lead off with that right away!). At least, that's a somewhat rational plan. Hard to be too rational at a Pinkie party, though, even if you're not susceptible to the flood of happiness!

And after ten years of hiding what he is, the thought of actually telling a pony that is probably not something that would come very naturally. Different perspectives and all that. Our view of ponies is probably a bit different than a changeling that's hidden among them. I can look at it from outside and think that Twilight, being a generally rational and logical sort (When she's calm, anyway), and big on friendship and acceptance, would at least have a fair chance of being convinced of his good intentions if he handled it right. To a changeling that's relied on hiding from ponies for ten years, where the idea of discovery means total failure (And possibly worse, by revealing that changelings are real!), it might not look that way at all.

Actually, the safest bet would be to abandon the Novel Tale persona. That'd suck, of course. He's got a good position, and looks to draw in plenty of emotion. Certainly not ideal, but safer. Less risky than telling Twilight (Or other ponies) who he is and hoping they'll be understanding. I can certainly see a changeling getting attached to a successful persona and taking a few risks to preserve it, though.

...Yeah, Numex is probably in for a bit of a hard time, whatever course he takes.

In any case, I'm liking this so far! I'm a bit of a sucker for changeling stories, particularly ones that make me immediately go off thinking on tangents like this

That was the last thing he wanted to be talking about! He didn't want to, but he was sure that saying no to such a generous offer would seem suspicious. If he accepted, he would at least be able to steer the conversation in a direction of his choosing.

“How could I refuse such a generous offer from one of my biggest fans? I’d be delighted to!” He was sure he would figure some way to get out of this.

I'm pretty sure that, if Novel came up with a half-decent excuse ("Oh, I already have a hotel reservation. Non-refundable. Thanks for the offer, though.") Twilight wouldn't give it a second thought. Novel's paranoia is messing with him.

So, the jig is up. Let's hope the interrogation goes smoothly; things are bad enough already for Novel.Also, I seriously hope the next chapter features Rainbow and Twilight pulling a "good cop/bad cop" routine.

“Nurex it is then. There’s more than a little evidence to suggest you might be telling the truth, so I’m not going to turn you in to the Royal Guard right away. But I’m not going to let you go either, there’s no telling what you might do now that you’ve been found out. You’re going to stay right here where I can keep an eye on you while I learn all I can about changelings. With your help, of course.”

Ah, massive ethical failure. That kind of thing really bothers me in pony fanfiction. Not the decision itself because I can see Twilight deciding to trade off respect for individual freedom in exchange for ensuring Equestria's safety, but the fact that she doesn't even acknowledge that there's a tradeoff to be made.

Yay great story, Nurex is one of the most tolerable and acceptable changeling Oc's I have read about. I love Twilight in full on scholar / researcher mode, and her attempting to be intimidating during the interrogation was cute. I hope this story will stay as a slice of life like it says and not get sidetracked into any dark or sad tangents that most stories do.